Lake County Records Access

Lake County public records include vital certificates, property deeds, court case files, and government documents maintained at offices in Lakeport. The County Clerk-Recorder issues birth and death certificates and records real estate transactions. Superior Court handles civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. Most records are open to the public under California law. Some require proof of relationship or legal interest. You can search property records and court indexes online or visit county offices in person. Fees vary by record type. Birth and death certificates cost $24 each as of January 2026. Copying fees apply for documents. Processing times range from same-day service to several weeks depending on the request and how you submit it to Lake County offices.

County Clerk-Recorder Services

The Lake County Clerk-Recorder maintains vital records and property documents. Birth, death, and marriage certificates for events in Lake County are available from this office. Starting January 2026, fees increased under Assembly Bill 64. Birth certificates now cost $24 per copy. Death certificates are $24. Marriage certificates also cost $24. You must prove eligibility to get vital records. Only parents, spouses, children, grandparents, and legal representatives can order copies.

Show valid ID when you apply. The office checks your relationship before releasing records. Birth certificates remain confidential for 100 years. Death records have fewer limits but still need proper authorization. If you cannot prove your connection, the county will not issue certified copies. This protects privacy under California law in Lake County.

Order records online, by mail, or in person. Online orders go through VitalChek which charges extra fees. Mail takes longer but costs less. Walk-in service at the Lakeport office offers same-day copies if records are available. Bring payment and ID. Staff can tell you if a record has been filed and is ready for release.

The Recorder division files real estate documents. Deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements must be recorded to provide public notice. Anyone can search property records. The office has computers for public use. Search by owner name, address, or legal description. Staff can help you find documents and order copies. Fees depend on page count and whether you need certification in Lake County.

Superior Court Case Files

Lake County Superior Court handles all trial court matters. The courthouse is in Lakeport. Civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases are filed here. Court records are public unless sealed by law. Juvenile cases remain confidential. Family law files may have restricted details to protect privacy. Not all records appear online due to rules about sensitive information.

Search court case information through available databases. Online access is limited for some case types. California Rules of Court control what appears on the internet. Full files often require a courthouse visit. Bring the case number if you have it. Clerks can retrieve files and make copies for a fee in Lake County.

Copying costs 50 cents per page. Certified copies include the court seal and cost extra. Some documents cannot be copied due to confidentiality rules. Ask staff if you are unsure whether a record can be released. They will explain what is available and what is restricted under court rules and statutes in Lake County.

To get records by mail, write a request with the case number and document description. Include payment and return address. Allow extra time for processing. Not all courts offer mail copy service. Call ahead to ask if your request can be handled without an in-person visit to the Lakeport courthouse.

Property Documents and Assessment

Real estate records are filed with the County Recorder in Lake County. Every transaction affecting land ownership gets recorded. This creates legal notice and establishes priority. You can search to check ownership, find liens, or research property history. No ID or reason is required. Property records are completely public.

The office has public computers for searching. Look up documents by owner, address, or parcel number. Staff can show you how the system works. You can also hire a title company if you need professional research. Once you find documents, order copies for a fee. Most can be emailed or mailed based on your preference in Lake County.

The Assessor's Office keeps tax records. These show property values, ownership, and characteristics. Assessment rolls are public. View them online or at the office. This information helps you understand how property taxes are calculated. Assessor records complement recorder documents to give a full picture of property status in Lake County.

Business Filings

Fictitious business name statements go to the County Clerk. Any person or business using a name other than their legal name must file. This tells the public who operates under each name. Statements are good for five years. Then they must be renewed. Search the index before filing to make sure your chosen name is not already in use in Lake County.

UCC financing statements are filed for personal property collateral. These create security interests in goods and equipment. Lenders file to protect their claims. Search the UCC index to check for existing liens. This matters when buying business assets or making loans secured by personal property in Lake County.

For state business entities like corporations and LLCs, check with the California Secretary of State. Visit sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities to search companies and order certificates. The state maintains the central registry of all business formations in California.

Public Records Requests

The California Public Records Act gives you the right to see government records. CPRA applies to all Lake County departments. Each office keeps its own files. You must contact the department that created or holds the records you need. Write a clear description of what you want. Include dates, topics, and other details to help locate documents.

The agency has 10 days to respond to your request. They can take 14 more days if needed. You do not have to give a reason. No ID is required for most requests. The county must provide access unless a legal exemption applies in Lake County.

Exemptions include personnel files, attorney advice, draft documents, and active investigations. The agency must explain why records are withheld. You can challenge denials in court. Judges review whether exemptions were properly applied under CPRA and other laws in California.

Fees apply for copying and staff time. Electronic records cost less than paper. If the request requires extensive search and redaction, the county can charge for labor. Ask about costs before work begins. This avoids surprise bills when you get your records from Lake County.

Note: Court files, vital records, and property documents are not obtained through CPRA because they have separate access procedures.

How to Get Lake County Records

Online access is available for some records. Check the county website for databases. Property and court information may be searchable from home. Most online systems are free to search. Ordering copies costs money. Electronic access works well if you only need basic information or want to see if records exist before visiting.

In-person visits give full access to files. Go to the office in Lakeport that handles the records you need. Bring ID and payment. Staff can help you search and make copies. Hours are usually Monday through Friday during business hours. Some offices close for lunch. Call ahead to confirm times and payment methods in Lake County.

Mail requests work if you know what you need. Send a letter with your request and payment. Include your contact information and mailing address. Allow extra time for processing and delivery. Some records need specific forms or notarized signatures by mail. Check requirements before sending your request to Lake County.

Phone inquiries answer questions about fees, hours, and procedures. Staff cannot search files or read documents over the phone. Call before you visit to confirm what to bring and whether records are available in Lake County offices.

Legal Authority for Access

Government Code Division 10 contains the California Public Records Act. It requires agencies to disclose records unless exemptions apply. The law balances openness with privacy. Court access follows California Rules of Court. Rule 2.503 covers courthouse records. Electronic access is limited to protect sensitive case information in California.

Vital records follow Health and Safety Code Section 103526. This lists who can get certified copies. Privacy protections limit access to authorized persons. Property records are public by law and tradition. Anyone can inspect recorded documents without showing cause in Lake County.

Nearby Counties

Lake County borders several other counties in Northern California. For records from other jurisdictions, contact those counties directly. Each has its own systems and fees.

Adjacent counties: Mendocino County, Glenn County, Colusa County, Yolo County, Napa County, Sonoma County